The Illusionist Page #5

- I advise you to watch what you say, sir.

That actress didn't even

look like Sophie.

But the audience is

stupid and he knows it.

He manipulates them.

He himself said nothing.

His actress said nothing

inflammatory.

He left it to the audience

to make their accusations.

All plants paid for

by him, of course.

I don't suppose you made

a note of those people?

I'm afraid we didn't

have enough men tonight.

At the next performance,

I want them all arrested.

Every one of them.

Eisenheim, the whole troupe.

I want to have an example

made of him...

in front of all his followers.

That was very foolish last night.

You can't destroy him, you know.

- You can't bring down the monarchy.

- Oh, I know I can't.

Then don't raise her again.

Don't provoke those questions.

Eisenheim, I don't

want to arrest you.

I'm a cynical man, God knows...

but if your manifestations

are somehow real...

then even I'm willing to admit,

you're a very special person.

And if it's a trick,

then it's equally impressive.

Either way, you have a gift.

So don't make me put you in jail!

Promise me you won't do it again.

I promise you, you'll

enjoy this next show.

What do you want?

- Nothing.

- Then why bring her back?

Just to be with her.

To be with her.

- Everything is ready?

- Yes, sir.

- We're trying to assess how he might escape.

- He will not escape.

- I want guards at every door and window!

- Sir.

I want to apologize to you

for my behavior of late.

But I want to make it up to you,

if you'll listen to a proposition.

- Well, I don't know.

- I'll make it worth your while, Josef.

You know, I'm very busy right now. I haven't

just been sitting around waiting for you.

No. No, of course.

I want you to assume control

of all my finances.

And my assets.

- Everything.

- Everything?

Yes. Including this theater...

and all the receipts from

tonight's performance...

which I offer with

my sincere thanks.

- What do you say?

- All right.

- I'll do it.

- Good. Good.

Would you like me

to introduce you tonight?

No. Tonight, just enjoy the show.

Excuse me, Chief Inspector.

I'm Josef Fischer, Eisenheim's manager.

Yes, I remember.

- What's going on? Why all the police?

- Precautions, Herr Fischer.

- Precautions.

- Are you planning to arrest Eisenheim?

Oh, that's entirely up to him.

There! There!

It's Duchess von Teschen!

Why were you murdered?

- I was leaving him.

- Leaving who?

- The crown prince?

- Of course it was.

- We won't stand for it!

- I tried to get away.

I was wearing my locket when I died.

But now it's gone.

It's lost.

- Tell us, please. Who murdered you?

- Was it the crown prince?

We must do something!

- Come along.

- We must help her!

To the front!

Step out!

In the name of

His Imperial Majesty...

and the City of Vienna,

I hereby arrest Eduard Abramovicz-

also known as

Eisenheim the Illusionist-

on charges of

disturbing public order...

charlatanism and

threats against the empire!

- No!

- Get back, get back!

Stop it! Stop it, all of you!

- He disappeared.

- Where is he?

Find him!

- Where is he?

- He was right there.

- How was his trick done?

- No trick.

- How is it done?

- I don't know. Nobody know.

Damn it!

I had my driver take

the sword to police headquarters.

My men will examine it and see

if it matches the gemstone...

found on Duchess von Teschen's body-

I have no doubt that it will.

And after that, I came in here...

and you asked me why I was late.

You've stolen Imperial property.

That seems trivial

compared with murder.

Even if that were true, you have

no jurisdiction here.

That's right. You may do as you wish here,

without consequence.

Nobody can punish you.

- Except one man.

- Who's that?

The emperor.

I don't suppose he'll leave his crown

to a murderer, do you?

- He'll never believe you.

- Maybe not.

Hmm.

But, I wrote a letter

to his general staff...

telling them... everything.

Including your plan

to overthrow the emperor.

I know they'll listen to that.

You'll not take the throne-

not with my help.

You no longer want to be chief of police?

Mayor of Vienna?

You don't want to be

a baron, an aristocrat?

I'm afraid that's out of

the question at this point.

You fool.

He's tricking you.

He's manipulating you. He had the sword

at a command performance.

He could have pried the stones loose then

and planted them here.

- He has planted everything.

- You're drunk.

It's all a trick.

It's an illusion.

Perhaps there's truth

in this illusion.

You need to wire your driver,

and have the sword returned.

- Or what?

- I'll shoot you. Perhaps I'll shoot you anyway.

And then you'll have killed

a police inspector and a duchess.

Or perhaps you'll kill yourself.

You, uh, committed suicide,

distraught at having failed your leader.

Ah. Some officers

of the general staff, I'd guess.

They must have received my letter.

- What do you want?

- I don't want anything.

Fine. Fine. You shall have nothing.

- Gentlemen-

- The situation is so obvious.

Everyone's completely incompetent.

My father runs the empire

into the ground...

and no one notices, no one

knows anything about it.

I propose to clean up

the mess, and you betray me!

You're all becoming irrelevant.

You will be replaced.

The country will be run by mongrels!

There's a thousand different voices screaming

to be heard, and nothing will be done!

Nothing!

I've done everything I can.

Too much!

Far too much.

Your Highness!

Are you in there?

Your Highness, open the door.

Please. Open the door.

By your father's authority...

I insist you open the door!

You must open the door!

You're all fools.

- Please, Your Highness!

- I can't stand it.

I won't stand it.

Break down the door. Break it down!

- What happened?

- The crown prince just shot himself.

Are you Chief Inspector Uhl?

I used to be.

You!

Who gave you this?

- Who gave you this?

- Herr Eisenheim!

When?

Look out!

All aboard!

Tickets and papers.

All aboard!

When it's done...

you'll travel ahead

with her, and I will follow.

- And she understands everything this entails?

- Completely.

Do you think that

Eisenheim's behind all this?

So, what does it mean, to die?

- What do you want?

- To be with her.

To be with her.

Chief Inspector,

there's one thing you should know.

Your sword

is very beautiful. Might I see it?

- You're drunk.

- You were drunk.

He's a charlatan. He's a faker.

He's planted everything.

Everything

you have seen is an illusion.

It's a trick.

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